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Place in Gästrikland, Sweden
Photo: Tony Nordin, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Gävle is a port on the Baltic Sea in Gävleborg County, the southernmost part of Norrland. In 2020 the city had a population of 79,004.
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Slottstorget
The extension of Rådhustorget across the river. This is where the Gävle Goat (Gävlebocken) is erected each year four weeks before Christmas, a large straw goat. The tradition began in 1966, as did the tedious tradition of burning or otherwise destroying it, in spite of fire-proofing, security guards and camera surveillance. Only a third of goats have lasted until Christmas and several have perished within hours of assembly. Since 1986 there have been Goat Wars between rival structures, one built by a school and the other by local business; they've yet to hit on the solution of decoy goats.
Gävle slott
The foundations are from the 16th century, but it has been rebuilt several times, last during the late 1740s when it was transformed into more of a fine mansion than castle. It now houses local government offices so you can only admire the exterior and courtyard.
Sveriges Fängelsemuseum
This occupies two buildings: you start in the main block, the two-storey former jail in the classic 19th century high-hall pattern. Then the Länscellfängelset on nearby Timmermansgatan depicts its 18th-century predecessor, a dark squalid lock-up of low-lifes, dirty straw and droll rats.
Länsmuseet Gävleborg
The county museum and art gallery has a large and interesting collection; child-friendly. The building was financed in 1933 by a tobacco and shipping magnate.
This was the birthplace in 1879 of Joel Emmanuel Hägglund, better known as Joe Hill. In 1902 he emigrated to the USA, where he became a labor organizer, song-writer and activist for "Industrial Workers of the World", the "Wobblies". In 1914 a Salt Lake City grocer and his son were shot dead by two intruders; Joe Hill came to a local doctor that evening with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was eventually convicted of the murder, and executed by firing squad in Nov 1915. The prosecution case was shaky and his many supporters believed he was shot for being a "wobbly", but his refusal to explain his wound sealed his fate.
Järnvägsmuseet
The museum moved here from Stockholm in 1970 to have more display space, and it hosts a large collection of old locomotives and rail cars.
Forsbacka bruk
There have been ironworks in Forsbacka since medieval times but the present structures are mostly late 19th redbrick. They occasionally have guided tours but you're generally free to stroll around. The foundry master's mansion is now an events venue.
The resident symphony orchestra gives regular concerts, and there are visiting acts.
Whiskey Village
Mackmyra distillery introduced the first Swedish whiskey in 1999, a single malt. The original site at Valbo (in a former power station) has an annual capacity of 0.6 M bottles. The one you can visit is the second site 10 km east near E4, the seven-storey "gravity distillery" opened in 2011. (The water is pumped up just once, then its head of pressure drives everything else with no inefficient intermediate pumping.) They also make gin. There are no brief tours, those offered are four hour events with tastings and dinner included.
A track for harness racing (trav) - jockeys sit in a two-wheel coach or "sulky", and the horse has a trotting gait, the gallop is not permitted.
Small theme park and arcade for toddlers as well as a zoo and Cold War-era coastal fort and museum.
A kiddy-slope for skiing and tobogganing, suitable for beginners, with a notional charge for the lift. No toilets.
This is the next step up for beginners, a two-lift ski slope. There are bowls, rails and jumps for snowboarders. Hours depend on snowfall.
Café and bakery that serves delicious pastries and sandwiches.
Popular café with salads and pizza and riverside views.
Lido is a chain with several cafés around town - this is the original of 1954, with a cosy atmospheric interior. Has a large selection of pastries and serves brunch on Sundays.
Just a humble takeaway shack, but they offer the best falafel and shawarma in town.
As constant as the Northern Star, this serves trad Swedish midday fare. Some find it bland.
Tucked away in Villastan, the garden suburb near Boulogner park, this serves excellent coffee, pastries and classics such as egg and herring sandwiches.
Serves American-western food in kitsch C&W style, gets crowded.
Serves a seasonal menu inspired by classic Nordic cuisine.
Hugely popular restaurant that only serves lunch, serves high-end Nordic cuisine.
This is likely the best restaurant in town, featuring seasonal Nordic cuisine.
Classic Nordic cuisine, great reviews.
No-frills karaoke bar: cheap bear and a bit rough but always with a tolerating atmosphere. Some of the karaoke singers can actually sing.
Summer-only outdoor bar and barbecue spot.
Sports bar with pool / billiards.
By far the cheapest beer in town, with karaoke on Wednesdays and weekends. Offers a small but decent range of bar food.
formerly Sjömanskyrkan Bar
Housed in a former church, this cafe-bar is a great venue to see local bands.
Small classy wine bar with an extensive selection, also serves food.
Serves decent bar food and has a rooftop terrace.
Simple but comfy budget place in an old red-brick building, very central. You need your phone to check in, they send you the door code. Shared toilets and shower cubicles.
Atmospheric old hotel in a building of 1901 refurbished to a modern standard.
A hostel in the old town 600 m from the railway station. Simple and usually clean, dogs accepted.
Central chain hotel with sauna and restaurant, tired furnishings and cleaning not always up to the mark.
4-star hotel in town close to railway station. Several guests thought it small and basic for the price.
Comfy riverside hotel with self-check in, no reception.
Reliable mid-range chain hotel a couple of blocks west of town centre.
The municipality's largest shopping mall, with around 60 stores.
By train
Direct trains run hourly from Stockholm Central to Gävle, taking 80 min via Arlanda Central (the airport), Uppsala and Tierp.
By bus
Buses from Stockholm City Terminal take just over two hours and a single ticket in 2022 is 220 kr.
By road
Major routes through Gävle are E4 south to Stockholm and north to Sundsvall, E16 west to Falun and eventually Oslo, and R76 south along the coast.
Walking will get you most places within town. From the railway station east end to the river park west end is little over 1 km.
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